TITLE "TUSCANY & WINE"
 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some historical facts:
Wine is tightly linked with the town of Montepulciano as can be proved by the fact that wineries are actually "built in" the ancient urban structure of the medieval town. The wine has been noted since the sixteenth century, was drunk by Pope Paul III who raved about its excellent qualities and already in the 18th century it was referred to as "noble" or at least fit for the nobles to drink! Internationally it has gained it fame through the last 40 yrs and is exported all wine drinking countries in the World.
 

Area of Production:
Province of Siena (The communal territory of Montepulciano)
 

Wines:
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg
Vino Nobile di Montapulciano Riserva Docg
 

The Production Code:
 The first production regulations where drawn up on July 1966. In 1980 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was granted the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, and was the first wine to be released with the top classification recognized by Italian legislation.
The most recent modifications were approved by decree on July 26 1999 (the addition of white grapes was banned).

  • Grape varieties: Sangiovese (known as Prugnolo Gentile in Montepulciano): 70% minimum. Up to a maximum of 20% Canaiolo Nero may be included, and up to a maximum of 20% of other varieties recommended and/or authorized fort the province of Siena.

  • Maximum yield of grapes: 80 quintals per hectare

  • Yield of wine from grapes: 70%

  • Obligatory minimum ageing in wood: either 2 years in oak casks, or 1 1/2 yrs in oak casks and 6 months in other vats, or 1 yr in oak casks and 6 months in other vats and 6 months in the bottle.

  • In addition to vinification, all operations involving the preservation and bottling of the wine as well as its fining in the bottle must be carried out within the production zone

  • Before bottling, the wine "certified to become Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg" has to undergo chemical exams and reach approval by a tasting (See General Characteristics)

  • Available for sale: January on the 3rd year after the harvest year (on the 4th year for the Riserva)
     

General Organoleptic Characteristics that the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must meet:
- Color: ruby red, tending to garnet with ageing
- Odor: intense perfume, earthy, characteristics
- Flavor: dry, harmonic, persistent, with possible scents of oak
- Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12.50%, for the "Riserva" 13.00%
- Minimum total acidity: 4.5 g/l;
- Minimum net dry extract: 23 g/l

 

Life-span
In general terms, the life-span of a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is as follows:
3 yrs after harvest date: youngish - hold another couple of yrs.
3-8 yrs after harvest: the wine will mature and amalgamate and be at its best after the 5th year.
8-12 yrs: drink, drink, drink!